The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-05-24

to contribute few paltry dollars to-
wards the support of poor but hon
est sovereign who is trying to make
both ends meet under adverse cir
cumstances.
If it is not so regarded, but is con
sidered as one of the most rascally
and outrageous transactions that has
ever been exposed, transaction the
more infamous because of the position
of the chief delinquent, theh meet
ing should be held en- nldsse, certainly,
but not for the purpose of congratu-
lation. 1t must be held for the pur-
pose of very serious elaboration.
The fact of the opium bride has been
clearly detailed, every man, woman
and child in the Kingdom is aware of
it, and there has not been found one
solitary individual to come forward
and deny, or even attempt to palliate
the crime that has been committed
Public opinion must show itself,
must express itself. An outrage like
this cannot be passed by with shrug
of the shoulders and the remark that
such thing can be expected from the
material of which our governing power
is composed. If such is all that can
be expected, and it is the logical re-
suit of the facts that are before the
people, then it is high time that rad
zeal change be made, and the govern
ment of the country put into hands
that can conduct it with honesty, abil-
ity and decency. We need agitation,
constant agitation until we obtain
what we desire. We now stand,
nation that has been publicly dis
graced, and to pocket our disgrace
will only be to become partners in it
If any unfortunate clerk in the In
terror Department had been guilty of
mixing himself up in any such trans
action, he would have been punished
long ere this, and because a person high
in Office commits so glazing an offence,
are we to sit around and admire the
cool cheek, the brazen impudence
of those who have disgraced
themselves? Are we to punish
a poor devil for stealing half a
dozen articles, and talk of melting
out justice, when SO great a fraud
as this goes UNPUBLISHED? Are we,
who strive to live honestly by the la
Dor OF our hands and brains, to pay
taxes out of our hard earned gains for
the purpose of supporting corruption
and fraud?
Consider for a moment the effect of
such an example upon the civil service
of the country. If the sovereign
accepts bride, why should not every
man who is serving III the government
building do likewise? The example
has been set by the highest officer in
the land. Think of the demoraliza-
ton of Hawaiian youths, just starting
out on life's career, with the opportu-
nifty of leading honest and useful lives,
when this Infamous piece of rascality
is put before them, as the calm and
deliberate act of those who ought to
be an example to them Looked at in
any way we may choose, regarded from
any standpoint, the fact remains, black
and damning, with its evil effects
spreading out in ever widening circles
Article 25 of the Constitution says:
No person shall ever sit upon the
throne, who has been convicted of an
Infamous crime, or whois insane or
an idiot" x
Of course there can be no misunder-
standing this article. 1t applies to
the claim of any criminal to occupy
the throne in the future; but the
principle there involved is /: that the
throne shall be occupied by one who
is clean and uncontaminated. The
governed have the right to ask
whether at any time the governor is
such a pure, clean, and upright per
son as contemplated by the Constitn-
ton.
These are questions and consider
atoms which have presented them
selves to most minds during the past
week, and there seems remarkable
unanimity as to the answers.
The matter lies in a nutshell The
charge has been as distinctly formu-
lated as any of those made in the
Forum of old Rome, against the cor
rupt consuls and pro-consuls of that
great Republic. The people have had
time to weigh the full effect of the &C
cusation. The accused stand silent.
What is to be the result Vigorous
protest should be made and repre-
sensations formally laid before the
Diplomatic representatives of the
Great Treaty Powers. In the words
of Shylock:
We stand for judgment!
Answer, shall we have it?